March 27, 2013 | Posted by : Anna Frushour | News | Comments Off on How Social Media Can Affect A Criminal Case

Social media is the new way of communicating and it is important for people to understand the legal implications of using these platforms. When statements or photos are posted on the internet, they are rarely completely private – even if you can manage to navigate through all the privacy settings.
Last month, social media played a big role in the conviction of two Steubenville, OH teenagers. In this... Read More

February 27, 2013 | Posted by : Anna Frushour | News | Comments Off on Two Washtenaw County District Courts Offering Limited Amnesty Program

Two of Washtenaw County’s District Courts are offering an amnesty program for certain types of tickets from March 1 – April 30, 2013. During this period, the 14A and 14B District Courts will waive all penalties and late fees for outstanding traffic civil infractions and parking violations. The $45 clearance fee for those who have had their license suspended by the Michigan Department of State cannot... Read More

March 20, 2012 | Posted by : Anna Frushour | News | Comments Off on Can Juvenile Defendants Be Sentenced to Life Without the Possibility of Parole?

Today the Supreme Court of the United States is taking up the issue of whether juvenile defendants can be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. In the two cases before the court, Miller v. Alabama and Jackson v. Hobbs, the defendants committed homicides when they were 14 years old. In Graham v Florida, the Supreme Court held that life without the possibility of parole for non-homicidal... Read More

Privileged communications were designed to protect certain types of relationships that our society values. These privileged communications typically include doctor-patient, attorney-client, spousal privilege and priest-penitent. The protection, benefit and the right to disclose any of the communications is for the communicator only. As a society, we value and recognize the significance of allowing... Read More

In Michigan, circuit and district court judges are either appointed by the governor or elected for a six-year period. This year in Washtenaw County, we will see both. In the 15th District Court in Ann Arbor, Judge Julie Creal retired from the bench before her six-year term ended, so the Governor will be appointing a new judge. In the 22nd Circuit Court, Judge Melinda Morris will be retiring at the... Read More